I was watching Need to Know on PBS. This week they traveled to Pueblo, CO and, among other places, strolled down Main Street, literally. What struck me was one lady who was being interviewed talking about politicians and how they can't possibly know what she is going through until they fear their lights being shut off. What a striking comment.
Here are a few numbers for you, if that works better for you. (I like numbers.)
- Unemployed: ~$1300-$1400/mo (Note: $330/week x 4.)
- President Obama: ~$65,806/mo (Note: His 2011 income divided by 12.)
- Former Governor Romney: ~$1,141,413/mo (Note: His 2011 income divided by 12.)
- Members of Congress: ~$14,500/mo (Note: Their salary of $174,000/yr divided by 12.)
I know that the President and Governor paid taxes and donated to charity, but I tried making these figures simple so please keep that in mind.
I write this blog to raise awareness and encourage readers to buy products that are made in the USA. These purchases create jobs. It really is that simple - supply and demand. I do not want to bankrupt you to make these purchases. I even did a post about how I bought something for $1 that was made in the USA. We can talk politics and foreign this and that, but at the end of the day companies supply us with what we are willing to purchase.
Do you feel inspired to check those tags? Our consumer dollars speak volumes. Voting is our right and we should exercise it every chance we get. Every purchase we make also votes for one thing or another. The people featured in the show above are an example of why I want you to spend $64/year on American-made products. That's the equivalent of a coffee purchase at your favorite coffee shop once per month. That purchase creates 200,000 jobs. That's a huge vote.
How will you vote this holiday season? Now that it is nearing, can you vow to spend $64 on a product or products that proudly wear Made in the USA? I would love to hear from you.
Karina
I love comments!
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I watched an episode of Frontline on PBS. It focused on the topic of high school students dropping out of school prior to graduating with a diploma.
Four students at Sharpstown High School in Houston, TX demonstrate the example of the at-risk students in this community. Their lives involve topics that, in a political debate seem like another bullet point to hit, but, in reality, they are quite sad circumstances. Alcoholic dad, deceased mother and unmentioned father, immigrant parents facing deportation and mother in and out of jail. All of this while trying to pass and graduate high school and one of them - mother to a son.
One young man, whose father had already been deported and mother was currently facing deportation, was working close to 40 hours per week to help keep his family afloat. His father was no longer available to provide for his family because he had already been deported. Because this student worked so much, he found it difficult to come to school. He was tired and concerned about his home life.
The school houses a daycare for the children of the students. Yes, you read that correctly. There was one young lady who was 17 years old with a 3-year old and a 2-month old.
These students deal with issues only seen to some in movies or on television, like this show. The question becomes, though, who fixes it for them and with them? Can their situations be reversed? More importantly, who mends their broken hearts?
I also thought about the fact that everyone wanted them to graduate high school. If we can just get them to graduate... I kept thinking, Then what? These kids are being encouraged to finish high school. They are being "carried" to finish high school. When they graduate and/or turn 18, who encourages them along their life's path? At what point in their lives do they choose to make it better?
Here's my answer whenever I hear this debate: Harlem Children's Zone. I saw Geoffrey Canada on Oprah years ago and I have never forgotten about him and his project.
If you stop by either or both of the links in this post, please let me know what you think.
Karina
I love comments!
During election years, politicians talk about Main Street a lot. I was watching a show on PBS called Need To Know. The show actually went out to Main Street in Nashua, New Hampshire. Even with positive news about the economy and how many jobs were created in the month of December, individuals still struggle on a daily basis. The show focused on these details.
They spoke to busines owners and families that work and live on Main Street. The picture they painted was not quite as positive. By listening to them speak, their spirits are positive even though they are drowning in their situations. A priest from an Episcopal church talked about how the church's endowment fund had lost more than 50% of its value. Another family with multiple generations living in the same house put their faith in the full-time job of their matriarch.
I sometimes wonder what someone thinks when reading this blog, especially when the title includes, "Putting People to Work one American-Made Product at a Time." I sometimes tell my husband that you must think I am crazy for thinking I can make a difference or that I must be so arrogant to think that I can change things by blogging about it. When I see stories about the people included in this show, the idea is reinforced in me that I promote the purchase of Made in the USA to create jobs so people can get back on their feet. I try to bring your attention to the label. I'm not asking you to completely eliminate purchasing products made in other countries. All I ask for is a small change that may lead to more awareness at your next shopping trip.
Karina
